Chesapeake data center ordinance advances to council
Chesapeake's Planning Commission has unanimously voted to recommend a new ordinance to the City Council that would establish a more selective framework for data center development. The proposed rules would designate data centers as a conditional use in industrial zoning districts and the Fentress Airfield Overlay District, requiring additional guidelines like noise studies. The decision follows a fiery public debate among residents both for and against data center expansion.
Chesapeake's Planning Commission recently held a contentious meeting regarding data center development, ultimately voting unanimously to advance a new ordinance to the City Council. The proposed regulations aim to establish a more selective framework and guidelines for future data center projects in the city.
Under the recommended ordinance, data centers would be designated as a conditional use in industrial zoning districts and the Fentress Airfield Overlay District, provided specific requirements are met. These requirements would include additional layers of guidelines, such as mandatory noise studies, before any new data center could be constructed. The decision comes amidst heated debates within the community, with residents expressing strong emotions both in favor of and against data center investments.
While some residents, like Councilman Tom Schaad, advocate for data centers, believing Chesapeake residents should benefit directly from future investments, others vehemently oppose them, arguing that current proposals, such as building 100 feet from residential property lines, do not adequately address existing problems. City officials emphasized the necessity of proactive measures, noting that several parcels of land could currently be developed into data centers with minimal regulatory oversight. The final decision on the ordinance rests with the City Council, who will review the Planning Commission's recommendations.